A second KwaZulu-Natal derby in as many days, this time between Golden Arrows and Richards Bay, will headline the weekend’s Premiership football, with the league’s big boys on continental duty.
After watching the AmaZulu and Royal AM battle last night, Abafana Bes’thende will welcome the Natal Rich Boyz to the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale this afternoon (3.30pm).
Both clubs head into the encounter with adjusted sets of technical teams, which might have a huge influence on what the final result will look like.
The duo of Musa Bilankulu and Kagisho Dikgacoi will step into the shoes of the absent Mabhuti Khenyeza in the Arrows dug-out, while Ronnie Gabriel and Siboniso Gabriel look to bring stability to a struggling Richards Bay.
🎥 Match Day-1
— Richards Bay FC (@RichardsBayFC_) December 13, 2024
🏆 #BetwayPrem
📅 Saturday 14 December 2024
🆚 Golden Arrows FC
🏟 Mpumalanga Stadium
📺 SS PSL(Channel 202)
🕒 15h30 #PhakweGas #NatalRichBoyZ pic.twitter.com/LlCMm3l1Ea
The Natal Rich Boyz are currently at the bottom of the Premiership standings, having struggled for form in the early stages of the season with a single win, two draws and seven losses.
Under contrasting circumstances are Arrows, who head into the derby looking to climb further than the sixth place they currently hold.
Abafana Bes’thende have dominated this fixture in recent times, and they’ll look to extend that mark, having won three of the four top-flight meetings against their next opponents.
All Set for tomorrow 💪#10betgoldenarrows #greenandgold #sthendeway pic.twitter.com/CzVeaMTOMV
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) December 13, 2024
The next game on the day sees Chippa United host Cape Town City at the Buffalo Stadium in East London (5.45pm), and the hosts will aim to maintain a top-eight position.
The Chilli Boys have made a decent start under head coach Kwanele Kopo, having won four, drawn two and lost three of their nine games this season.
The 2024/2025 charge of the Eastern Cape club has not only been about the tactical combo of Kopo and Thabo September on the bench, but also the form of Sinoxolo Kwayiba.
After making his debut for Bafana Bafana in October, the 24-year-old Gqeberha-born attacking midfielder has carried that momentum into the domestic season.
His brace in the last game against Magesi FC will see him head into this game with real confidence.
For Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler, a harsh introspection and talking down was on the cards when his side lost to Sekhukhune last time out, dropping down as low as 13th on the standings.
The Cityzens have now lost four of their last five matches in all competitions, and are expected to bring a big fight to Chippa United as they look to stretch the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to more than three points.
SuperSport United and recently crowned Carling Knockout champions Magesi will close off today’s action (8pm) at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Matsatsanta got back to winning ways when they beat Richards Bay in Durban last week, but will be eager to keep that confidence going and improve their goal-scoring exploits, with striker Bradley Grobler returning after a long-term injury.
Magesi will hope to have officially got over their trophy-winning blues, having been beaten by Chippa in their last outing, and will look to move out of the relegation zone as early as possible.